Wednesday, February 01, 2012

On Friday, the PS22 Chorus was visited by the amazing new artist, Susan Justice, as she invited the chorus to join her on some songs from her forthcoming debut album, Eat Dirt! Susan is an incredible singer/songwriter, just recently signed to EMI. Truly a unique talent and person, we can expect big things from her judging by the caliber of the performances she's laid out with PS22!

Here is the amazingly catchy "Forbidden Fruits" and the favorite of most of the chorus! And how about that Daniel-san stepping it up a notch on the drums!

This is the first song Susan wrote called, "I Wonder," and it's both stunning and catchy!

Here the kids join Susan on the title track of her upcoming album, "Eat Dirt." The message of this song really resonated with us, which basically says that often you have to go against the grain to carve your own life path, emphasized in the repeated lyric of the chorus, "so I figure that it pays to cross the line and eat a little dirt sometimes."

Here Susan sings her song, "Born Bob Dylan," with a little help from PS22. (Love the way the kids nail that harmony, particularly the major second -- NOT easy for 10 year olds!)

This is the final song from our collaboration with Susan, and it's a cover of Bob Dylan's classic, "I'll Keep It With Mine" (which was covered most notably by Nico, and this version also owes a lot to Susanna Hoffs's rendition of the song.) PS22 Chorus covered this a couple of weeks back, after we found out we'd be singing with Susan, and the selection was inspired by her song, "Born Bob Dylan." Now we present the complete version of the song, the last verse courtesy of Susan!

All our thanks to Susan for sharing her wonderful music and soul with us, Tara Chiari for working this out, Mr. Eberle for his guitar accompaniment, Mrs. Johnson for filming the videos, and Ms. Laurie for all the great pics on this post! (More below!)

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol